It is still too early to determine what long-term effects the assassination of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011, will have on relations between the United States and Pakistan. Viable questions that can be asked at present are how the situation and policies have changed until today and will these changes be permanent? Will relations between the states ease or will an even more tense situation between the two states result from the events of May 1, 2011? And how might the changes seen so far in relations impact future U.S.-Pakistan relations? This essay will examine and discuss the changes that occurred in American foreign policy towards Pakistan after the assassination of Osama bin Laden. Relations between the United States and Pakistan have been very tense since the attack that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden. The situation between the two states further worsened after US forces killed 24 Pakistani soldiers in what was reportedly a mistake based on mistaken identity of the Pakistani soldiers. At a recent nuclear security summit in Seoul, the leaders of the two states met and United States President Barrack Obama told Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani: “There were times – I think we should be frank – over the last few months these relationships have been strained” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com). Both sides have had concerns about their relationship since the 2011 attacks; Pakistan's main concerns appear to be the lack of respect for Pakistani sovereignty by the United States. On the other hand, the concerns from the American side are about national security and the threat posed by terrorists to the United States... middle of paper ... relations between the United States and Pakistan have been extremely tense during the last year, brighter prospects lie ahead. During the recent summit in Seoul, both states showed a more open attitude towards bilateral relations and only time can tell how they will evolve. ^ 1-4-2012-15.532. http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/columns/31-Mar-2012/developing-the-new-terms-of-engagement3. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/05/162339.htm4. http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/05/9977091-obama-vows-us-will-stay-worlds-top-military-power5. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/americas/2011/05/20115633712747260.html6. http://www.cfr.org/pakistan/us-pakistan-relations-year-past-year-ahead/p27314